Career Change Awards
The Career Change Awards are to assist women who are changing the focus of their career and entering a non-traditional field for women.
The NHWT Peg Hutchison Career Change Award was awarded to Ainsley McLean at the Christchurch Awards ceremony, 2015.
Tribute
Peg was Treasurer for New Horizons for Women from 1992 to March 2007. Peg Hutchison was an accountant when that was not usual for women. There is a story that Peg left one firm when they refused to make her a partner because she was a woman. Peg Hutchison was closely involved at local, national and international level with NZFGW and was made a member Emerita by this organisation. She was highly committed to the principles and work of NZFGW. She was also a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. She was an advocate for women’s rights in the workplace and women’s tertiary education. She was also involved with conservation and environmental issues and was involved in voluntary work with the Trust that set up what is now called Zealandia.
 & others.JPG)
From right to left: Ainsley McLean, fellow awardee Jean Nel, Christchurch Mayor Leanne Dalzeil, NHWT trustee Dr Rosemary Du Plessis and NHWT Chair Dr Jo Innes
Ainsley McLean completed a Bachelor of Nursing degree in 2000, and spent fourteen years working as a registered nurse. Career highlights include volunteering for various NGO’s in both Sierra Leone and South Africa. During this time, Ainsley became a dedicated human rights activist focusing on the needs of women and girls in post conflict states. She is now completing a Graduate Diploma of Arts majoring in Political Science at the University of Canterbury and wants to pursue postgraduate study in International Law and Politics. Ainsley is passionate about creating political dialogue amongst key actors and policy makers and about ensuring women and girl’s rights are paramount during the post-conflict reconstruction process. Her goal is to ensure that women are an integral part of any peace process. The NHWT Peg Hutchinson Career Change Award will support Ainsley in her life-long dream of becoming a political scientist and inspiring other women to enter the dynamic field of conflict resolution.